CAA to fund Entebbe Airport’s Ushs42.6bn expansion

CAA to fund Entebbe Airport’s Ushs42.6bn expansion

Works minister Eng. John Byabagambi (centre) lays a brick on the foundation of the airport’s terminal expansion building as Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) board members look on during the site handover ceremony at Entebbe Airport

The Minister of Works Eng. John Byabagambi recently flagged off construction works for the expansion of Uganda’s Entebbe international airport that are estimated to cost Ushs42.b billion.

According to CAA’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rama Makuza, the construction works, which will focus on remodeling, expanding the land side terminal, will be fully funded by the authority using its internally generated resources.

Dr. Makuza said construction works will involve building of a new departures and arrival blocks, strengthening of the existing terminal building roof structure and creation of additional business space including for the duty free market. Makuza said the project will also entail expansion of the check-in area and modification of the departures road.

“Entebbe International Airport land side terminal expansion project is one of the several projects that are going to concurrently be implemented at the Airport over the next couple of years and we as CAA are funding the project to a tune of Ushs42.6bn, funds that have been internally generated. This expansion project seeks to provide more room and comfort for service users, especially passengers,” Makuza stated.

Mukuza explained that with the increasing passenger traffic at Entebbe International Airport, CAA has had to start implementing the grand master plan that will see the current passenger terminal expanded.

Minister Byabagambi with CAA Board members during the site handover ceremony for the expansion of Entebbe International Airport

Eng. Byabagambi who was chief guest at the ceremony hailed the project and called on the contractors Seyani brothers, to deliver a good product to the people of Uganda.

“We (Ministry of works) will extend necessary support to ensure that the project is a success. I appeal to the contractor Seyani Brothers (U) Limited and CAA to do quality work and avoid mistakes along the way. Passengers will be disrupted during the expansion and we appeal to them to bear with us until when the project is completed in December 2017.

The 20-year masterplan (2014-2033) launched in January last year projects 930 arriving passengers and 820 departing passengers during peak hours by 2033 therefore the Airport expansion is critical and timely in making provisions for the growth and ensuring good customer experience in the years to come.

CAA projects passenger traffic to rise from 1.4million in 2014 to 6.1million in 2033 while the cargo traffic is expected to rise from 55,000 tonnes in 2014 to 172,000 tonnes in 2034.

The terminal expansion project is expected to be completed by December 2017.